Apple’s latest iOS 26 update introduces an advanced adaptive power mode, designed to dramatically extend iPhone battery life by making intelligent, real-time adjustments to device performance. Unlike the existing low power mode, this new feature works continuously, automatically lowering screen brightness and delaying less urgent activities when it detects higher battery usage. The goal is to maximise battery longevity without compromising the overall user experience.

However, the adaptive power mode is restricted to a select group of devices. Only the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series (including iPhone 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max) will benefit from this feature. This exclusivity is due to the reliance on Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI capabilities and the more advanced A17 and A18 chips present only in these recent models. Users with older handsets, such as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, will unfortunately not have access, as the necessary hardware is not present.

Looking ahead, it is expected that the forthcoming iPhone 17 range will also support adaptive power mode, as they are likely to ship with iOS 26 pre-installed. While some may be disappointed by the limitation, Apple’s reasoning appears to be rooted in the optimisation offered by the latest chipsets. Meanwhile, other iOS 26 additions, such as the enhanced Call Screen function, are not bound to Apple Intelligence and remain more widely available. For now, though, doubling your iPhone’s battery life via adaptive power mode remains a privilege reserved for owners of the most up-to-date devices.